Chapter 9

To The Shade of Burns


► Very Short Type Questions & Answers:

1. Who is the poem 'To the Shade of Burns 'written for?

Ans: The poem is written for the memory of Robert Burns.

2. What does Smith say Burns was taught by 'Great Nature'?

Ans: Burns was taught to 'build the lofty rhyme'.

3. What does the poet imply about the world after Burns's death?

Ans: The poet implies that the world no longer values true artistic integrity, and sycophants ('Parasites') are rewarded.

4. What is suggested by the phrase 'echoing Parasite' in the poem?

Ans: It suggests a society where insincere flattery and sycophancy are rewarded.

5. What is the tone of the poem?

Ans: The tone of the poem is mournful and critical.

► Short Type Questions & Answers:

1. What is the significance of nature in shaping Burns' poetry, as described in the poem

Ans: In 'To the Shade of Burns', nature plays a central role in shaping Robert Burns' poetry. Charlotte Smith highlights the profound connection between Burns and the natural world, suggesting that it was nature itself that 'taught' him to 'build the lofty rhyme'. This line signifies that Burns' poetry was not merely the product of intellectual effort, but was deeply influenced by his environment and the natural world around him.

By invoking 'Great Nature', Smith implies that Burns' poetic voice was rooted in authenticity and truth, qualities often associated with the untainted beauty and simplicity of nature. Nature, in this sense, is not only a source of inspiration but also a teacher, guiding Burns to create poetry that reflects both the majesty of the natural world and the struggles of the human condition. The imagery of nature serves as a contrast to the artificiality of later society, which Smith criticizes in the poem. In this way, nature is portrayed as both a refuge and a foundation for Burns' creative expression, shaping his works with purity and sincerity, qualities that remain central to his legacy as a poet.

2. What is the meaning of the line 'Indignantly is fled / Thy noble Spirit' in the context of the poem?

Ans: The line 'Indignantly is fled / Thy noble Spirit' in 'To the Shade of Burns signifies the departure of Robert Burns' noble spirit from a world that no longer values the ideals he represented. In the context of the poem, Smith laments that Burns' spirit, which was once filled with integrity, freedom, and a love for truth, has left indignantly, unable to bear the corrupt society that followed his death.

'Indignantly is fled' conveys the idea that Burns' noble spirit has not left passively but rather in anger or frustration, rejecting a world that has lost its appreciation for the virtues Burns held dear. The line underscores the poet's belief that the values of artistic freedom, sincerity, and moral strength that Burns embodied are no longer welcome or celebrated in the present society. By using the word 'indignantly', Smith emphasizes the profound disillusionment that Burns, had he been alive, might have felt toward the rise of sycophancy and superficiality in the world around him. This line highlights the sorrow and anger that accompany the loss of a figure like Burns, whose spirit could no longer find its place in such a society.

►► Long Type Questions & Answers:

1. In 'To the Shade of Burns', Charlotte Smith criticizes the society that followed Burns' death. Discuss the social commentary embedded in the poem, particularly regarding the rise of sycophancy and the decline of genuine artistic values.

Ans: In 'To the Shade of Burns', Charlotte Smith critiques the  society that emerged after Robert Burns' death, particularly pointing out how sycophancy and the decline of genuine artistic values have taken root in the literary world. Smith uses the poem not just as a tribute to Burns, but as a sharp commentary on the social and cultural shifts that occurred after his passing.

One of the central aspects of Smith's critique is the rise of sycophancy the act of insincerely praising those in power or authority for personal gain. She contrasts this with Burns' own integrity, pointing out that he was a poet who wrote from a place of honesty, sincerity, and genuine connection to his people and the natural world. Burns' poetry was grounded in truth, unafraid to challenge the norms of his time, whereas Smith laments that the society that followed him was more concerned with flattery and submission to established authority. The image of sycophants in Smith's poem reflects a cultural shift towards empty praise, where superficial adoration replaces genuine appreciation for the values that made Burns' poetry so authentic and meaningful.

Smith also critiques the decline of genuine artistic values in post-Burns society. She implies that, after Burns' death, the literary world became increasingly dominated by conventions and expectations that stifled creative expression. While Burns' work was rooted in the experiences of everyday people and in the freedom to speak truth to power, Smith observes a shift toward more conventional, polished forms of art that cater to the elite and maintain the status quo. This decline in artistic integrity reflects a society more interested in pleasing those in power than in fostering true creativity or social change.

Through this social commentary, Smith highlights how the rise of sycophancy and the decline of artistic authenticity reflect a larger cultural malaise. She mourns the loss of the qualities that made Burns such a powerful and influential figure, and she suggests that his death was followed not by a celebration of his legacy, but by a hollowing out of the very principles he championed honesty, independence, and the courage to speak freely.

In conclusion, Smith uses 'To the Shade of Burns 'not only to praise Burns but also to critique the social and cultural changes that occurred after his death. By highlighting the rise of sycophancy and the decline of genuine artistic values, Smith underscores the distance between Burns' authentic vision and the more superficial literary world that followed him. This commentary serves as a warning about the dangers of conformity and the loss of artistic integrity in a society more concerned with pleasing power than with preserving the truth and spirit of creative expression.

2. Discuss how 'To the Shade of Burns 'reflects Charlotte Smith's views on the relationship between freedom, artistic integrity, and societal values. How does Smith use Burns' life and legacy to critique the social and artistic landscape of her time?

Ans: In 'To the Shade of Burns', Charlotte Smith uses the life and legacy of Robert Burns as a lens through which to critique the relationship between freedom, artistic integrity, and societal values, highlighting the ways in which these concepts intersect and clash in her own time. Through her elegy, Smith reflects her belief that true artistic expression requires both personal freedom and integrity, but that societal values-particularly those rooted in conformity, power, and sycophantic behavior often undermine these qualities.

Smith admires Burns for his unwavering commitment to artistic authenticity, and she portrays him as a poet whose work remained true to his own experience and vision, rather than succumbing to the pressures of society's expectations. For Burns, art was not about pleasing the powerful or adhering to established norms; it was about expressing the truth of the human condition, often with a focus on the common people and their struggles. His work, rooted in personal freedom, spoke to a broader desire for liberty, both artistic and political. In Burns, Smith finds an example of how artistic integrity can be achieved when a poet or artist is free from the constraints of societal expectations.

However, Smith contrasts this freedom and integrity with the society that followed Burns's death, which she portrays as increasingly corrupt, sycophantic, and disconnected from the values that Burns embodied. She criticizes a world in which the pursuit of personal gain and the worship of power have replaced the genuine appreciation of art for its own sake. The rise of sycophancy-the tendency to flatter those in power for personal advantage-symbolizes a broader societal shift away from the kind of freedom and authenticity that Burns championed. Smith's lament about the decline of artistic values is rooted in this social change: the rise of conformity, the abandonment of truth-telling, and the silencing of voices that challenge the status quo.

Burns' legacy, in Smith's view, stands in stark contrast to the world that succeeded him. His death, as depicted in the poem, marks the loss of not just a great poet, but also of the ideal that art can be a tool for social change and personal expression. Burns' freedom from conventional expectations, his refusal to conform to the artistic norms of his time, and his commitment to portraying life authentically are the qualities that Smith holds up as ideals. In contrast, the world that followed him is portrayed as morally and artistically bankrupt, more interested in flattery than in truth.

Smith's critique extends beyond a personal tribute to Burns and becomes a broader commentary on the social and artistic landscape of her time. She suggests that, just as Burns' art was deeply connected to his freedom and integrity, society as a whole should recognize and protect those same values. The poem is not merely a lament for Burns' death but also a call for the revival of the ideals he represented-freedom of expression, artistic sincerity, and the rejection of sycophantic or conformist tendencies.

In sum, 'To the Shade of Burns 'reflects Charlotte Smith's view that artistic integrity and freedom are inseparable from a just society. By using Burns' life and legacy as a model, Smith critiques the social and artistic values of her own time, lamenting the rise of sycophancy and conformity that threatened to stifle genuine artistic expression. She uses the elegy to advocate for a return to the values that Burns exemplified-truth, freedom, and the courage to challenge societal norms-believing that these values are essential for both the artist and the world in which they live.